river middle school coming in at around 74. and we have an air quality alert for today as well. we have that code orange. if you have asthma, lung disease you need to limit outdoor exposure. tonya has traffic. you have asthma. >> reporter: i have a history of asthma and i try to stay indoors i learned that the hard we have. hard traffic going on a slowdown on 95. let's look at 95 northbound at 100, there's an accident on the left side of the screen. two right lanes had been closed causing a traffic jam. at least one lane is closed many we have rubber necking delays on the southbound side to the left of your screen. an accident 50 eastbound at bay bridge with a disabled vehicle blocking one lane there. accident on the inner loop and the right lane is blocked there. back to you. >> as to the charge of first- degree murder, we the jury find the defendant not guilty.

>> i hope that this is a lesson to those of you who have been indulging in media assassination for three years. >> not great foul as to getting his client off and goes after the media. casey anthony's defense team head out to a restaurant for a night celebration. dorothy clay simms and two others were there. looking close, you can see simmsclapping and jumping up and down. they ate at the restaurant nearly every day for the 36-day trial. the jurors wouldn't immediately comment on the decision in the trial but an alternate did speak saying he supports the final verdict. >> i agreed whole heartedly. it was the right decision that was made. the prosecution didn't meet the burden of proof. and we had a lot of reasonable doubt there. they didn't show us the

evidence that was good enough for a conviction. >> the defendant rise along withcounsel. >> there you have it. now of the 7 counts anthony was convicted of four misdemeanor counts of providing fallinformation to place and will be sentenced thursday and could face four years in prison. the hook in all this is thee has been in prison -- she has been in prison for three and the judge could tell her to go with time served. we are asking you what you think about this. you've had time to sleep on it. are you as enraged as yesterday or have you come to accept that jury's decision? let us know what you think. some headlines report that casey anthony could be a millionaire when this is all said and done. 6:32. they tell you they are police officers and you let them in your home which makes sense. then they take your stuff and the real police tell us three houses in baltimore have been hit by people pretending to be cops and officers want to make sure you are careful.

sherrie johnson joins us with more on the effort to catch the fakes. sherrie. >> reporter: well, they look like police, they sound like police but they are actually crooks. and this morning, baltimore city police officers are trying to ask for the public's help in finding the people that are responsible for portraying themselves as cops. the latest incident happened at around 5:30 while the homeowners were sound asleep inside the west baltimore home on garrison avenue. suddenly three men with police badges barge in and rob the home and when the fake officers got inside, they tied up the people and ransacked the house. authorities say this same thing happened at two other homes, one on june 27th on medford avenue in northeast baltimore and the other in federal hill on july 1st. the city says they are not sure what they are dealing with here. >> it's unclear if they are copy cats or a group of individuals. they are all across the city the three incidents that we have so far. there's no correlation based on

geography we can point to as of yet. >> reporter: now city police officers say that this latest home invasion no one was hurt in that home invasion. reporting live at city police head quart e. sherrie johnson, abc2 news. a look at news around the nation. the story out of atlanta raising your eyebrows. we can relate in baltimore. widespread cheating found in public schools and it's not the kids doing it. investigators found that principals and teachers in 44 schools of the 56 in the district falsified results of standardized test and they were supposed to evaluate student progress. the results made schools appear to be performing better than they were. georgia's governor says the students were the one who is suffered. >> we can not allow adult behavior to compromise the very tools which we use statewide to gauge a child's proficiency and whether or not he or she is prepared to succeed in the next grade level. >> some of the cheating goes

back ten years and could result in criminal charges for the offenders. thank goodness the fireworks in our area all exploded in the sky. look at this display in west virginia that went all wrong. a reporter took this video and says five minutes into the show exthe he -- show, the explosion happened on the ground. the firey scene in texas neighborhood. construction workers hate gas line with a back hoe -- hit a gas line with a back hoe tuesday afternoon. you can see the flames in this video. one of the back hoes caught on fire and the operator was not hurt be a no -- hurt and no homes were damaged. the focus in dc, the debt showdown. the president says there are strong disagreements and we have to come together. >> the goal the president has set to make and the decision why lawmakers are meeting at the white house. plus, lighting up is going to cost you. yeah. why some companies are charging

people to smoke. you are watching "good morning maryland" first and only at 4:30.

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now "good morning maryland." 6:39 this morning. president obaca is -- obama is warning lawmakers to fall back on a short-term solution. obama says he has invited law make tortes white house on thursday to -- makers to the white house on thursday to continue negotiations and hopes they can reach an agreement within the next two weeks. he says progress is being made but differences still exist. starting tomorrow, vidson -- verizon wireless is eliminating the data plan for new smart phone customers shifting to plans that give

users between 2 and 10 giga bites a month. verizon is joining at&t and t mobile. getting rid of the up limited data plans. [audio not understandable] smoking is clearly not just bad for your health. it could be bad for your wallet. now it's not just the cost costing you alone. some companies are making you pay if you spark up. this according to bloomberg. the magazine says macy's charges workers who admit they smoke an extra 35 dollars a month for health care costs. that's more than 400 dollars a year and they are not alone. business week says pepsi co has begun similar charges with employees. like union a sick and scots miracle miracle grow says they will do it. they refuse some do to hire smokers altogether. 20 minutes away from 7. you want to talk to the president? here's your chance. >> the interactive way the

president is using social media to now answer the public's questions and how it can work and how you can get involved. also ahead this morning, facebook is set to make a big announcement today. we will tell you what's leading to this coming up. how you can support caylee anthony by flipping a switch. all you need to do coming up. >> reporter: the trial that caught all of our attention, the verdict is in for the case anthony case. but why public debate rages on. it's going to be another day of the heat and humidity out there. right now, maryland's most powerful radar is picking up on showers and thunderstorms into virginia. i will tell you whether we will get in on that activity. all that is coming up after the break. major delays 95 northbound. you will run into it when you hit 175. i will have more details when "good morning maryland" continues.

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♪ for the big day ahead of you morning. big day, huh? morning, mom! are you excited? ♪ the best part of wakin' up ♪ is folgers in your cup. now "good morning maryland." thanks for joining us. this is your abc2 news to go i

am megan pringle. >> i am charley crowson. let's say good morning to lynette charles. >> good morning. yes, we are going to be dealing with lots of humidity. you are stepping out into that this morning. as you step out and about, the temperatures will be about 78 by 8. by lunchtime 87 and the heat is going to be upon us today as well. that temperature coming in right around 92 degrees. and we have the chance of showers and thunderstorms to grab the rain gear heading out and about. let's send it over to tonya with traffic. >> reporter: good morning. we are dealing with major delays on 95 northbound and dorsey. this is the northbound traffic the right lane and right shoaled remember blocked with an accident. we have rubber necking delays -- shoulder mocked with an accident. we have rubber necking delays. so delays back to 175. you will get it coming up out of laurel into dorsey. you will see the traffic there. thanks so much. 6:45. it took 11 hours for jurors to reach a verdict in the drawn out case that has gripped so

many of us. the 35 day trial for casey anthony is what we are talk ding -- casey anthony is what we are talking about. >> it has many talking online and coffee lines. someone is likely to want to weigh in on this. we sent linda so out to get your reaction and she is live in towson. you have not been short on finding information and getting opinions have you? >> reporter: well, certainly not. you know, the case struck a cord with a lot of people especially parents. this is tamara who joins us live. you said you tuned in and watched the verdict and you kind of felt personal about it because you are a parent yourself. >> yeah. i have a 22-month-old and it kind struck a cord with me because as a parent, as a mother, you supposed to do all you can to protect your children. and i guess as far as her case goes, it seems like she didn't do all she could to protect 2- year-old. they can't speak for themselves and as a parent of a 22-month- old you are supposed to do what

you can to protect your children. that's why it struck a cord with a lot of people. >> reporter: do you agree with the verdict? >> no i don't. but evidence wise i guess you know the jury had to go with what they had. and unfortunately, i mean, for mother and child alike, the verdict is heart either way because someone you want someone to pay for the death of the 2-year-old. and then mother wise, you know, she didn't seem as though she protected her child enough. so, i mean it's unfortunate either way. >> reporter: and talking with people this morning i. think that is what they are saying. it's hard to accept the fact the 2-year-old is dead. do you think that's why so many people. >> yes. >> reporter: are angry? >> >> yes. it's hard either way. either way. i mean, you want justice for the little 2-year-old. she is gone. and innocent loss of life and there's no one to take responsibility for that. so, as a parent i. mean, it's

hard to see that and feeling that she was not protected in any type of way. >> reporter: thanks for so much for sharing with us. >> thank you. >> reporter: casey anthony will be sentenced tomorrow and could face up to a year in prison on the four counts she was convicted of, the four counts of lying to police. but many legal experts believe that she could walk free tomorrow because of the time she served in prison before she went on trial. but, again, casey anthony was found not guilty of all but the least serious charges against her four counts of lying to police. live in towson, linda so, abc2 news. >> thanks. a sign of solidarity for people who want to honor memory of caylee anthony a facebookgroup is calling for everyone to leave porch lights on honoring the young girl's short life. a million and half of you signed up. lights were turned on at nine and kept on until 6 this morning.

the creator of the group says in one night, one night, for eachyear of her life. we want to know what you think about this. head to the facebook fan page and weigh n we have a fresh question for you at the top of the facebook fan page. simply saying, you've had one night to sleep on this, are you you still as enraged as you were or have you come to accept that jury's decision g to facebook and let us know what you think this morning. a programming note, abc will air a one-hour special looking at the story from beginning to end. it's going to start at 10 and go right up to our show abc2 news at 11. again, casey anthony from beginning to the final verdict. this morning, police in carroll county are look for a man who is accused of abducting a 8-year-old boy on the 4th of july. police say the man first assaulted his girlfriend and her 2-year-old outside the home before turning his attention towards her son. >> i opened up my door and he let her go right away and she ran out my door and ran in my

house. and he come around the backside and was banging on my door thettening to take the 8-year- old -- threatening to take the 8-year-old. >> police are searching for michaeltere who neighbors say he has a long history of abuse. investigators say he released the boy at a mount airy nursing home and was last seen driving a brown 1996 oldsmobile four- door sedan. city officials worry violence following monday's july 4th celebration could keep you away from the inner harbor. despite a shahsive police -- massive police deployment a child was shot at the intersection of pratt and light. he is expected to he recover but a man was stabbed and killed outside mccormick and schmick's. someone near the scene took a picture of a person of interest and is hoping anyone who can identify this person will contact police with necessary and helpful information. dr. henry akerman was getting used to baltimore when

he went back to his memphis home to buy a truck. 13 years hater, his family -- later, his family found out what happened. a surprise murder confession came from man in memphis in courtroom. he was sent ened to life in prison for murder -- sent ened to life in prison for murdering another man. a witness went to memphis police last month telling them to look into the doctor's disappearance. it turn out -- turns out he went to buy a truck when he was murder. he told the family and they are overcome with grief but are relieved to know what happened 13 years ago. news time 6:51a sykesville man has been sent ened to 60 years if prison for killing his exgirlfriend's 8-month-old daughter. donald ray pevia was convicted of second degree murder. at the sentencing yesterday, the judge said that this was the worst case of child abuse he has seen in 27 years in law. 8 month old ky 'leigh was taken

to the hospital with breathing problems and died that day. today stephanie rawlings- blake will get a big endorsement in the race to be mayor. the members of the council led by president jack young will throw their support behind the city's current leader. there's quite a few contenders. the deadline to file for the ballot was yesterday. there are 11 people who filed the paperwork. for the list of all of those contestants or contenders, go to abc2news.com and the city primary election day is set for tuesday september 13th. polls on that day will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8. 6:52. five things to know before heading out the door this morning. a accused mob boss james whitey bulger due back in court today. he was arrested last week after

16 years on the run. -- years on the run. bulger faces charges in 19 mob related murders. in court today, jury selection begins in the perjury trial for the rocket, roger clemens. he faces federal charges he lied when he denied using performance enhancing drugs. the trial is expected to last up to six weeks. something awesome is what facebook is promising to deliver. facebook scheduled a news conference to announce the launch a a news product and the theory is they will release a chat feature. >> that would be awesome. >> awesome. something else cool. if you tweet you can in 140 characters ask the president a question for the first time, the president is holding a twitter he town hall. ask your question using hash tag/obama. he will likely focus on the economy or jobs, the decision on the questions is going to be

to the moderation or event that twitter managers are going to choose those questions. 2018 seems hike a long way off but they are getting ready for the winter olympics. the three cities vying for the host games are making their final pitches today. the cities are munich germany and south korea and france. the winner is expected to be announced at 11 this morning. now maryland's most powerful doppler radar and the forecast certified most accurate by weatherate. >> good morning. let's check out our dew points because we have lots of moisture in the air. 69 for baltimore right now. 71 in dc and also culpepper. and check out easton. 7 3. so we are sultry outside this morning. and it's going to stay that way going into the afternoon and evening. the satellite and radar not picking up on a whole lot but i will call a mix of clouds and sunshine i don't believe we will get as much sunshine that we saw yesterday. now, we see a stationary front

draped across the area. and with that, that's going tonight focal point for showers and thunderstorms to pop as we go into the afternoon. that warm moist air making its way in here and the storm prediction center does have us in a slight risk for severe weather. mainly into southern maryland. and if we get the storms, the biggest threat will be damaging wind and hail. future radar picking up on the showers and thunderstorms possible into the afternoon. for today and tomorrow we see it and we see it as we go into friday. so make sure you have the rain gear heading out and about. have it in the briefcase. ladies have a little one in your purse. temperatures around 92. it's going to be hot and humid once again. that's going to continue going through tonight. very warm and balmy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms to pop up in the forecast even as we go into tomorrow. the temperature coming in right around 90 degrees. here's the 7-day forecast. and we have been talking about the weaning end all morning long because they are so excited about that. it looks good like the driest

part of the next several days. now tonya has traffic. >> reporter: 50 westbound at the bay bridge an object on the road. -- road. we are getting volume top side of the beltway. here at liberty road, it's doing fine. that's the outer loop to the left of the screen. if you are near harford, it will be stop and go traffic. so give yourself he an extra few minutes there. howard county, 95 northbound at 100, our earlier accident is on the right shoulder. we do have traffic backed up to 175 and 95 on southbound at the fort mchenry tunnel we have the right lane blocked, the far right tube with the disabled vehicle there. all right. thanks so much for joining us on this wednesday morning. the middle of the week. remember to stay cool out there today. >> go to facebook and let us know more about your thoughts on the casey anthony verdict. 24 hours later, are you willing to accept that jury's decision? >> have a gray day. see you in a little bit for

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